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Home » Recipes » Dinner Ideas

Tuna Pasta Salad (Lightened Up)

Published May 22, 2023 by Allyson
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

Tuna pasta salad is a staple when it comes to BBQ's, pot lucks, or just a good down home meal. Using white albacore tuna is a must for tuna salad, as the chunky white tuna adds such a delicious flavor to the pasta salad. This salad can be made it just a few minutes, but it's best to let it rest in the fridge at least an hour before serving. 

Whip this up and serve with a side of Corn on the Cob or Hamburgers!

Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up easy recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

This tuna pasta salad is such an easy recipe, and you probably have most of the ingredients already at home.

How to make Tuna Pasta Salad:

**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**

  • Prep all the vegetables and cook the noodles al dente; set them aside to cool.
  • Make the dressing: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill pickle juice, and ranch seasoning mixed together.
  • Add all the vegetables, drained tuna, and dressing into a bowl with the cooled noodles. Add pepper and salt, then mix carefully until the noodles are completely coated with dressing.
  • Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Tuna Pasta Salad should last at least 5 days in the fridge after making; keep tightly covered when not serving. I don't recommend freezing tuna pasta salad. 

Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up easy recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

How to lighten it up the recipe:

  • Using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise is a great way to lighten up a tuna pasta salad.
    • I used half Greek yogurt, and half light mayonnaise. You could leave out all the mayonnaise and use just Greek yogurt, however the flavor might be a little different than what is typical.
    • Trying a 3:1 ratio of Greek yogurt to mayonnaise might be the best option if you are really trying to leave out the mayonnaise. 
Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up easy recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

What to serve with Tuna Pasta Salad:

  • Easy Baked Turkey Ham Sliders are the perfect fun appetizer! Layers of ham, turkey, and cheese between a buttery cheesy slider bun is the perfect combo!!
  • Grilled Sausage Foil Packs are loaded with delicious sausage, red potatoes, mini corn cobs, and onions! Perfect for a quick easy dinner!
  • Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs are covered with fresh pineapple and cilantro, then drizzled with sweet BBQ sauce! This is a meal even your pickiest eater will enjoy! 
  • Spicy Black Bean Hawaiian BBQ Burgers will be a hit at your next BBQ, and even the meat eaters will be asking for this recipe!
  • Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Black Bean Burgers are deliciously cheesy, spicy hot, and protein packed black bean burgers! Perfect for the meatless grill option!

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5 from 15 votes
Print
Tuna Pasta Salad
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Refridgerate
1 hr
Total Time
15 mins
 

Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb macaroni noodles, elbows, shells, or rigatoni work well for this recipe
  • 2 cans solid white albacore tuna packed in water, drained
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
For the dressing
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 TBS lemon juice
  • 2 TBS dill pickle juice (remove from pickle jar)
  • ½ TBS ranch seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
Optional garnishes
  • chopped parsley
  • chopped chives/green onion
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta noodles, drain, set aside to cool.

  2. Mix dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until combined.

  3. In a large bowl add pasta noodles, celery, tomatoes, onions, and tuna. Pour dressing over the top. Fold dressing carefully into the tuna pasta salad until completely coated. 

  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with parsley and green onion/chives if desired before serving. 

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a large crowd. Tuna Pasta Salad should keep for at least 5 days in a tightly sealed container in the fridge. 

First published May 2018. Updated May 2023.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jacque Hastert

    May 30, 2018 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    This is a summer staple at our home. I can't wait to give it a try!

    Reply
  2. Dee

    May 30, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so refreshing and perfect for summer!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl

    May 30, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    What would you serve with this something like fresh corn on the cob or,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Reply
    • Allyson

      May 30, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      If you look above the recipe card, there are several suggestions with links! I also have a great Instant Pot Corn on the cob recipe!

      Reply
  4. Anna

    May 31, 2018 at 12:04 am

    5 stars
    This is the best tuna salad ever! Our whole family loves it!

    Reply
  5. Sabrina

    May 31, 2018 at 8:48 am

    5 stars
    This is a summer must have dish at every BBQ and potluck! Love it!

    Reply
  6. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity

    June 01, 2018 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    This is calling my name! Would be a staple salad this summer!

    Reply
  7. Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling

    June 03, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    I could definitely make a meal out of this! Yum!

    Reply
  8. Patricia @ Grab a Plate

    June 07, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    This looks fabulous! I need to try this recipe soon -- I love it, but never make it myself! Yum!

    Reply
  9. Miranda

    June 22, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I'll probably put some spicy dills in there too!

    Reply
  10. Topazthecat

    May 11, 2019 at 11:14 am

    This recipe is great but tomatoes should never be refrigerated and should be added last after you take the pasta salad out of the refrigerator.

    Reply
  11. Mike Dinicola

    June 11, 2021 at 9:46 am

    What are the nutritional facts of this salad

    Reply
  12. Erin

    May 22, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    Not only is this recipe delicious but it's also got a little protein, which I love. The dill pickle juice is a good add!

    Reply
  13. jess

    May 22, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    wow, this recipe is so easy and so tasty! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!

    Reply
  14. Beth

    May 22, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! It's so full of flavor while staying relatively light. I love it.

    Reply
  15. Kristen

    May 22, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    5 stars
    This was great, even my picky kids loved it.

    Reply
  16. Catalina

    May 23, 2023 at 11:33 am

    5 stars
    This is my favorite combo! The addition of tuna makes this pasta salad amazingly delicious!

    Reply
  17. katerina

    May 23, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE this tuna pasta salad!

    Reply
  18. Beti | easyweeknightrecipes

    May 23, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    I would love this for lunch! SO delicious!

    Reply
  19. Erin

    May 23, 2023 at 10:03 pm

    Looks incredibly delicious! Need to make this soon!

    Reply
  20. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

    May 23, 2023 at 10:05 pm

    5 stars
    So delish! My family loves this!

    Reply
  21. Sandra

    May 25, 2023 at 1:02 am

    5 stars
    This is one of the best tuna salad I've tried! It is so good and really tasty!

    Reply

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